IDIOMS (UNITS 9-12) - ENTRAN EN EL 2DO PARCIAL Flashcards

1
Q

get very angry

A

hit the roof

She hit the roof when her neighbours played the stereo at full volume for the 4th consecutive night

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2
Q

adhere strictly to the regulations as a form of protest

A

work to rule

The bus drivers voted to work to rule in an attempt to break down the management’s resistance to their demands.

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3
Q

think very hard about sth

A

rack your brains

He had to rack his brains to remember where he had left his car keys.

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4
Q

unofficial(ly)

A

off the record

My boss couldn’t tell me anything officially but off the record he told me a promotion was imminent.

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5
Q

after a long period of time

A

in the long run

this may be an expensive purchase but in the long run it will save us a lot of money.

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6
Q

stuck in a monotonous routine

A

in a rut

After working int he same office for ten years, he felt he was in a rut.

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7
Q

it is logical

A

it stands to reason

You’ve eaten so much that it stands to reason you feel sick.

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7
Q

when all else has failed

A

as a last resort

I’d been unable to contact her for 3 days so as a last resort I drove the 30 miles to her house to see what was going on.

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8
Q

settle down

A

put down roots

HavIng lived and worked in many different countries, he hought it was about time to put down roots in one place.

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9
Q

from a short distance

A

at close quarters

When you see famous people at close quarters, they always appear much smaller than you imagined them.

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9
Q

know all the details of sth

A

know the ropes

Paul’s only just started working here, so he really doesn’t know the ropes yet.

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10
Q

keep sth secret
to not tell people about something

A

keep sth quiet

I’m quitting this job on Friday, but keep it quiet,OK?

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11
Q

deeply hurt sb’s feelings

A

cut sb to the quick

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12
Q

secretly

A

on the quiet

His wife found out he’d been seeing someone on the quiet.

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13
Q

makes ppl want to ask a particular question

A

sth begs the question

Spending the summer travelling around India is a great idea, but it does beg the question of how we can afford it.
To discuss the company’s future begs the question of whether it has a future.

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13
Q

“give up/stop
to agree to stop what you are doing”

A

call it quits

Let’s call it quits for today and get together first thing tomorrow.

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14
Q

Impossible
not possible or allowed

A

out of the question

Asking my father for money was completely out of the question.
Wearing a stained blouse to dinner was out of the question.

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15
Q

undecided/unsettled

A

open to debate

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16
Q

be confused, undecided. To be in a dilemma

A

be in a quandary

She’s in a quandary over which flat to chose, so she’ll probably end up staying on her parent’s house.

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17
Q

person or thing that one has no experience of

A

an unknown quantity

If you’ve never been published before, you’re an unknown quantity, so you’re going to have difficulty selling your first novel.

The presidential candidate is virtually an unknown quantity as almost nothing is known about him.

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18
Q

use/have sth not as acceptable as original
to use what is available although it is not enough or what you wanted

A

make do with sth

Can you make do with $5 for now and I’ll give you the rest tomorrow?

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19
Q

dismiss sb
ask that person to leave a place or a job because they have done something wrong

A

give sb their marching orders (informal)

Three players got their marching orders last week.

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20
Q

compete with sb as good as/better than you

to compete unsuccessfully with someone

A

meet one’s match

He was a good player, but he met his match in Peter.

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21
Q

try to be kind/helpful

A

mean well

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22
Q

spending more than you can afford

A

LIVING BEYOND ONE’S MEANS

most people who are living beyond their means don’t realise until it’s too late
Over 40% of Americans admitted they were living beyond their means.
He was using credit cards to live way beyond his means.
If that’s her only income, she appears to be living beyond her means.
I try not to live beyond my means, but it’s not always easy.
If you can’t afford to pay off your credit card bill at the end of the month, you’re living beyond your means.

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23
Q

Recover from an illness
syn: get over?
to be getting better after an illness or injury

A

be on the mend (informal)

She’s been ill with the flu but she’s on the mend now.

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24
Q

begin to behave well
to begin to behave well, having until now behaved badly

A

mend one’s way

I was getting really bad grades, but I promised my parents I would mend my ways and work harder.

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25
Q

to understate sth in an ironic way
used for saying that something is much more extreme than your words suggest

A

to put it mildly

It has been a remarkable day, to put it mildly.

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26
Q

Deep in thought
to not be conscious of what is happening around you because you are thinking about something else

A

miles away (informal)

You could tell by the expression on her face that she was miles away, thinking about home.

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27
Q

perfect condition
perfect, as if new

A

in mint condition

The toys are carefully packaged so that they arrive in mint condition.

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28
Q

decide not to do sth or go to a place
to not do an activity

A

give sth a miss (informal)

I think I’ll give aerobics a miss this evening.

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29
Q

Sb gets sth which is worth its price/the effort put into it
get something which is worth the money that it costs or the effort you have put in.

A

sb gets their money’s worth

The fans get their money’s worth.

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30
Q

Identify sb who has done sth (usually immoral or illegal)
to tell someone the names of people involved in something, especially an unpleasant, secret, or illegal activity

A

name names

If people are going to accuse their colleagues of racist acts, they should name names.

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31
Q

The most important aspect
the most important part of an activity, or the quality that you most need for that activity

A

the name of the game

People say that in politics the name of the game is making the right friends.

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32
Q

Be very easy for sb to do
Be able to do sth easily, with little effort or learning

A

come naturally to sb

Dancing seemed to come naturally to her.
Being funny just came naturally to him.
Just do whatever comes naturally.

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33
Q

mention a sensitive subject

A

touch a nerve

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34
Q

put oneself in danger (physically or mtaphorically)

A

risk one’s neck

I am not risking my neck for anyone

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35
Q

Close relatives/friends
your family, especially those that you live with or are very involved with

A

nearest and dearest

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36
Q

“sum of money saved for a particular purpose
an amount of money that has been saved or kept for a special purpose”

A

nest egg (informal)

Regular investment of small amounts of money is an excellent way of building a nest egg.

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37
Q

Avoid being caught by a system/trap set up to catch sb
to escape a punishment or be missed by a system that should deal with or protect you

A

slip through the net

“Once again terrorists have slipped through the police net.
There are laws to protect the mentally ill, but now and then someone does slip through the net.”

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38
Q

Know nothing more than before
not understand something, even though it has been explained.

A

none the wiser

she said an awful lot but he wasn’t any the wiser

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39
Q

Try to interfere in sth
to get involved in or want information about (something that does not concern one)
to show too much interest in a situation that does not involve you

A

poke one’s nose into sth (informal)

You shouldn’t go sticking your nose into other people’s business!

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40
Q

resign
to tell your employer that you intend to leave your job after a particular period of time

A

hand/give in one’s notice

I handed in my notice yesterday.
I’m going to hand in my notice tomorrow.

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41
Q

Be in the same situation (usually bad)

A

Be in the same boat

As far as jobs go, we’re both in the same boat. I haven’t worked for months either.

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41
Q

be a foregone conclusion. Be obvious.

A

Go without saying

It goes without saying that he’ll get the role in the play; after all, he’s perfect for it.

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42
Q

in secret

A

behind the scenes

It would be interesting to know what goes on behind the scenes in a political campaign.

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43
Q

be in a state of confusion

A

Be all at sea

As far as her future goes, Olivia is all at sea, she hasn’t got a clue of what career to follow.

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44
Q

barely avoid an accident/a bad situation

A

Be/have a close shave

It was a close shave when a tile fell off the roof and nearly hit her on the head.

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45
Q

be in sb’s position

A

Be in sb’s shoes

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45
Q

be sold very cheaply

A

Go for a song

Almost everything sold at the auction went for a song; I’ve never seen so many bargains.

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46
Q

suspect that sth is wrong

A

smell a rat

She smelled a rat when her husband started coming home late but he was only working overtime.

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47
Q

Be/get very wet

A

Be/get soaked to the skin

I went out in the downpour without my umbrella and got soaked to the skin.

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48
Q

Travel often/not have a permanent home

A

Live out of a suitcase

People who are involved in international business tend to live out of a suitcase most of the time.

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49
Q

to not completely believe something that you are told, because you think it is unlikely to be true

A

take sth with a pinch of salt

You have to take everything she says with a pinch of salt, because she tends to exaggerate.

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49
Q

on a very small budget

A

on a shoestring

My brother travelled around the States on a shoestring; I don’t know how he survived on so little money.

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49
Q

make a greater effort

A

pull one’s socks up

He told his son that he ought to pull up his socks or he’d never make a success of himself.

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50
Q

“to behave in a loud, angry way in public
to get very angry in public”

A

Make a scene

“Please don’t make a scene.
So he paid, too embarrassed to make a scene in front of his date.”

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50
Q

insensitive to criticism or insults.

A

thick-skinned

He’s so thick-skinned that I don’t think he’d notice if you insulted him.

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51
Q

to become less shy, and more talkative and friendly. More self-confident and outgoing

A

Come out of sb’s shell

She used to be very timid and shy but I think she’s come out of her shell.

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51
Q

“was it obvious…?”

A

“Did it show…?”

Did it show that I was bored during the meeting? I tried to act as if I was interested.

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52
Q

to forget things very easily

pista: colador

A

A memory like a sieve

Could you tell me your last name one more time? I’m afraid I’ve got a memory like a sieve.

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53
Q

to escape from someone you do not want to be with.

A

Give sb the slip

the man who gave the police the slip wasn’t apprehended until a week later.

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53
Q

delay making a decision on something until the following day. Think about it overnight

A

Sleep on it

I’m going to sleep on it tonight, and I’ll make the decision tomorrow

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54
Q

to look extremely similar to someone. Or to look exactly the same as sb

A

Be the spitting image of

Paul is the spitting image of his father, even his mannerisms are the same.

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55
Q

A further difficulty or annoyance, typically minor in itself but coming on top of a series of difficulties, that makes a situation unbearable.

A

The last straw

“You don’t have to call anymore
I won’t pick up the phone
This is the last straw there’s nothing left to beg for” (Taylor Swift - You’re Not Sorry)

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56
Q

to prevent someone from doing something

A

Stand in sb’s way

Go ahead and leave. I won’t stand in your way.

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57
Q

unlikely to succeed, but worth trying.

A

A long shot

The deal was a long shot, but Bagley had little to lose.

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58
Q

to secretly use the influence you have over important people in order to get something or to help someone

A

Pull strings

I may be able to pull a few strings if you need the document urgently.

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59
Q

INFORMAL
reveal secret information unintentionally or indiscreetly.

A

Spill the beans

Although her friend asked her not to tell anyone about her secret wedding plans, she spilled the beans and soon everyone knew.

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60
Q

(informal) to go to bed

A

Hit the sack

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61
Q

to take revenge on sb bc of sth they have done to you

A

Get your own back

he’s always playing practical jokes on us; I think it’s time we got our own back

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62
Q

just in case

A

On the off chance

“I called his office on the off chance that he would still be there, but he had already left.
I called on the off chance that you were free to go out this evening.”

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63
Q

unacceptable (of behaviour)

A

not on (informal)

It’s just not on for you to speak to your parents in such a rude way.

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64
Q

in good condition

A

In good order

Sylvia checked to see if the contents of the box were in good order after delivery.

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65
Q

“so minimal or trivial as to have little effect.
A very small amount compared to the amount needed”

A

a drop in the ocean

My debt is just a drop in the ocean compared to many people’s.

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66
Q

to need to do something

A

have occasion to do sth

Of course, as a teacher I had authority, but rarely did I have occasion to use it.

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67
Q

more than or in addition to an amount

A

over and above

The company is doing well, with sales figures that are already over and above those of last year.

68
Q

overdo sth; go to extremes

A

go overboard (informal)

Isn’t packing three suitcases for a weekend away going a bit overboard?

69
Q

To do what is necessary to successfully overcome a difficult situation.

A

rise to the occasion

In spite of his stammer, Gerald rose to the occasion and delivered a fascinating speech.

70
Q

occasionally

A

every so often

A - “how often do you visit your parents?”
B - “every so often, as they live some distance away”

71
Q

more than (used for emphasis)

A

ONLY TOO (+ADJ)

I’m sure he’ll be only too willing to help you with the project.

72
Q

to capacity and beyond

A

to overflowing

you say you need new clothes but your wardrobe is full to overflowing with dresses

73
Q

behave in an unacceptable way

A

overstep the mark

It will be Overstepping the mark if you address the managing director by his first name.

73
Q

from the very beginning

A

at/from the outset

Fran was informed at the outset that the assignment would be no easy matter.

74
Q

passing on to (when introducing another speaker on the air)
used to say that it is now someone else’s turn to do something, to speak etc

A

over to

Now over to Bob who’s live at the scene of the crime.

I’ve done my best. Now it’s over to the professionals.

74
Q

PROVERB: if someone does you a favour, you should take the chance to repay it

A

one good turn deserves another

75
Q

PROVERB: a difficult situation will be resolved more quickly if there is no more discussion of it.

A

Least said, soonest mended

76
Q

wrong or unfair methods may be used if the overall goal is good.

A

The end justifies the means

77
Q

PROVERB
a task is soon accomplished if several people help.

A

Many hands make light work

78
Q

old proverb that means “without time off from work, a person becomes both bored and boring.”

A

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy

79
Q

PROVERB
if children are not physically punished when they do wrong their personal development will suffer.

A

Spare the rod and spoil the child

80
Q

PROVERB
a person who helps at a difficult time is a person who you can really rely on.

A

A friend in need is a friend indeed

81
Q

If unpleasant things are said about someone or something, there is probably a good reason for it

A

There’s no smoke without fire

82
Q

PROVERB
the fact that someone has done something unjust or dishonest is no justification for acting in a similar way.

A

Two wrongs don’t make a right

83
Q

idiom used to mean that a person who has failed or been hurt when trying to do something is careful or fearful about doing it again.

A

Once bitten, twice shy

84
Q

have no facts or sound reasons to support one’s argument or justify one’s actions.

A

Not have a leg to stand on (pág 150)

85
Q

no in the correct order/time

fuera de lugar; fuera de orden

A

Out of turn

The debate became unmanageable when everyone started speaking out of turn

86
Q

soon, shortly

A

In a tick

87
Q

be stupid
cabeza dura, estúpido

A

Be as thick as a brick

That man is as thick as a brick. He can’t even add two and two without making a mistake.

88
Q

expression:
Prepare/ set the table for a meal - poner la mesa

A

Lay/set the table

I lay the table with the fancy shit, and watch you tolerate it. (Taylor Swift - Tolerate it)

89
Q

not aware of or using the latest ideas or techniques; out of date.

Not having or showing knowledge of current ideas or styles : outdated, old-fashioned.

A

be behind the times

The children considered dad to be behind the times.

The entire country is behind the times when it comes to protecting the environment.

89
Q

To do sth although the conditions or circumstances are very bad. Whatever happens.

A

Through thick and thin

Don’t worry, we’ll be together through thick and thin.

89
Q

with uncertain result
incierto, crítico.

(of an outcome, especially one that is desired) possible but very uncertain.

A

Touch and go

“I’m walking fast through the traffic lights
Busy streets and busy lives
And all we know is touch and go”
(Taylor Swift - State of Grace)

90
Q

Arrive at the truth by looking at the facts. To draw an obvious conclusion from what is known or evident.

A

Put two and two together

Although she didn’t say anything directly, we put 2 and 2 together and realised that she was about to resign.

91
Q

have a great time

A

Paint the town red

John and several of his friends went out to pain the town red on his stag night.

91
Q

unnecessary bureaucracy

A

Red tape

With so much red tape involved, it’s very difficult for foreigners to obtain a work permit.

92
Q

Having changed one’s mind

A

On second thoughts

No, on 2nd thoughts, i’ll do it now.

92
Q

have progressive ideas.
opposite: be behind the times

A

Be ahead of one’s time

The inventor was ahead of his time when he invented a space rocket in the last century.

92
Q

Run away from school without permission

A

Play truant

When he was at school he always played truant on Mondays, to go to the cinema.

93
Q

Pass time while waiting for sth/sb
matar el tiempo

A

Kill time

They went for a walk to kill time while they waited for the ferry.

94
Q

Just in time.

A

In the nick of time

The paramedics men arrived in the nick of time to resuscitate the heart attack victim.

95
Q

accept a difficult situation

A

Come to terms with

After 6 years, she still cannot come to terms with the fact that her husband left her.

96
Q

not hurry

A

Take one’s time

Don’t eat your food so quickly, take your time and enjoy it.

97
Q

temporarily

A

For the time being

You can use my spare room for the time being but you must look for a flat of your own.

97
Q

be really pleased

A

Be tickled pink

My grandfather was tickled pink when he won at bingo last week.

98
Q

learning from one’s mistakes

A

(by) trial and error

The chef often comes up with hisi best recipes after a tedious process of trial and error.

99
Q

not suit one’s taste

A

Not one’s cup of tea

Opera isn’t my cup of tea; I prefer rick music.

100
Q

to be a person who is joked about or laughed at

A

be the butt of someone’s jokes
(pág 165)

He was sick of being the butt of their jokes.
No one wants to be the butt of a joke.

101
Q

to deal with a problem or difficulty calmly and not to allow it to influence what you are doing

A

take something in your stride (pág 165)

When you become a politician, you soon learn to take criticism in your stride.

102
Q

not having the same ideas or beliefs as other people, or not being aware of other people’s beliefs

A

Be out of step with someone/something (pág 165)

The governor’s remarks show that she is seriously out of step with the voters.
The M.P. was often out of step with his Party’s policies.

103
Q

to have something, usually a large amount of important work, to deal with

A

have something on your plate (pág 165)

She’s got a lot on her plate - especially with two new projects starting this week.

104
Q

at a speed which is comfortable

A

at one’s own pace

You’re allowed to work at your own pace in this relaxed, friendly company.

105
Q

try hard to do sth

A

Go to great pains

Victoria went to great pains to complete a high quality presentation.

106
Q

Feel tired and unable to work etc as well as usual.
less well, good, etc. than is usual or expected

A

Feel below/under par

I have no appetite and I am lethargic. I’ve been feeling under par for ages.

107
Q

Incidentally. Briefly and casually.

A

In passing

“the research was mentioned only in passing”

108
Q

“not be surprised if sb did sth.
to not be surprised if someone does something bad, because it is a typical thing for that person to do”

A

Not put it past sb

I would not put it past Gus to leave the firm without giving notice.

109
Q

Not nearly as good as; not comparable

A

not a patch on (informal)

Julia’s work is not a patch on Natalie’s.

110
Q

Reduce sb in status - To make someone realize that they are not as important or skilled as they think they are.

Bajar a alguien del pony (?)

A

Bring sb down a peg or two.

Sb as conceited as Ron needs bringing down a peg or two.

111
Q

give your view or opinion

A

Say your piece

You say your piece, as you feel so strongly on this matter and then I’ll tell you what I think.

112
Q

Be in a difficult financial situation

A

Feel the pinch

Many people are feeling the pinch now that there is an economic recession.

113
Q

do sth others don’t understand.

A

Play at (informal)

Just what did you think you were playing at, going behind my back like that?

114
Q

take a/the risk
arriesgarse

A

take the plunge

The economic situation makes many people unwilling to take the plunge and open their own businesses.

115
Q

make an effort to be brave

A

pluck up the courage

I don’t know how I can pluck up the courage to tell him the awful news.

116
Q

be worse than ever

A

Plumb new depths

The new soap opera on Channel 3 plumbs new depths in terms of tastelessness.

117
Q

deteriorate

A

Go to pot (informal)

We’ll keep you posted of any further changes in the examination specifications

118
Q

keep sb informed

A

Keep sb posted

We’ll keep you posted of any further changes in the examination specifications

119
Q

1) At a higher price than usual bc it is scarce
2) wanted/needed but difficult to get/achieve

A

at a premium

Houses with gardens and garages are often at a premium in city centres.

119
Q

Compete with sb or sth in intelligence or in a test of knowledge

A

Pit your wits against sb/st

It is a pointless excercise to pit your wits against a computer in chess tournaments.

120
Q

continue determimnedly

A

Press on/ahead

Unless we press on/ahead with our effort, the project won’t be completed on time.

121
Q

“Proverb:
the person who provides the money for something has the right to determine how it’s spent”

A

He who pays the piper calls the tune

121
Q

Proverb:
it’s wiser to be cautious and careful than to be hasty or rash and so do something you may later regret.

A

Better safe than sorry

122
Q

“Proverb:
an aphorism stating that not everything that looks precious or true turns out to be so.” “No es oro todo lo que reluce
no todo lo que brilla es oro”

A

All that glitters is not gold

123
Q

“Proverb:
used to say that if you tell someone about a problem, it is easier to deal with”

A

A trouble shared is a trouble halved.

124
Q

“Proverb:
family relationships and loyalties are the strongest and most important ones”

A

Blood is thicker than water

125
Q

“Proverb:
delay or vacillation may have unfortunate or disastrous consequences.”

A

He who hesitates is lost.

126
Q

“Proverb:
a timely effort that will prevent more work later.”

A

A stitch in time saves time

127
Q

“Proverb:
something you say that means that since you have started something or are involved in it, you should complete the work although it has become more difficult or complicated than you had expected”

A

In for a penny, in for a pound

128
Q

“Proverb:
extensive knowledge of or close association with someone or something leads to a loss of respect for them or it.”

A

Familiarity breeds contempt

129
Q

“Proverb:
said to mean that the positive and negative results of a situation or action balance each other.
There are both gains and losses in life; you win some, you lose some.”

A

What you lose on the swings, you gain on the roundabouts

130
Q

1) to be standing. estar levantado, estar de pie.
2) to have recovered from an illness: haberse recuperado de una enfermedad

A

be up and about

131
Q

the mixture of good and bad things in life or in a particular situation or relationship. Good things alternating with bad ones.

A

Ups and downs
Every business has its ups and downs.
We’ve had our ups and downs since we left London, but for the most part we’re very happy living in the country.

132
Q

“To improve steadily.
To become more successfull

ALSO: to be honest and fair.”

A

Be on the up and up

“1)Her career has been on the up and up since she moved into sales.

2) There is skepticism among many voters that the election is going to be conducted on the up and up.”

133
Q

likely to be very successful. algo prometedor

A

up and coming
The up and coming young actress had been offered a role in “The Tempest”.

134
Q

make sb angry/ annoy sb

A

Drive (sb) up the wall

The noise those builders are making is driving me up the wall.

135
Q

To express sth freely. (formal) to express a feeling, especially anger, strongly

A

Give vent to

“She gave full vent to her feelings in a violent outburst.
Sarah gave vent to her feelings of frustration and dissatisfaction when she spoke to her boss.”

136
Q

not seem reasonable or in accordance with the facts

A

not hold water

Unless you can support your argument with some statistics, I’m afraid it does not hold water.

137
Q

be strong evidence of sb’s feelings, merits, etc. to provide a lot of information about something wit just showing something very clearly.

A

speak volumes

Although she said nothing about missing her husband, the expression on her face spoke volumes.

138
Q

to understand things easily/with difficulty. Quick/slow to understand

A

Quick/slow on the uptake

Mike is so quick on the update that you never have to repeat instructions twice.

139
Q

a visit that only lasts a very short time.

A

Make a flying visit

With only a few hours to spare, Sarah knew she could only make a flying visit to her old school.

140
Q

not surprising

A

No/little wonder

It’s no wonder he’s in a bad mood if it’s true that his wife just left him.

141
Q

lacking experience; immature.

A

Wet behind the ears

he’s a nice young fellow but a bit wet behind the ears

142
Q

cause trouble

A

Make waves

My boss accused me of making waves when I complained about our working condirtions

143
Q

unfriendly reception

A

Frosty welcome

We got such a frosty welcome when we arrived at the party that we almost wished we hadn’t gone.

144
Q

to be in a bad mood and to be easily annoyed all day

A

Get out of bed on the wrong side

She realised that her boss had got out of bed on the wrong side when he snapped at her before she had even said good morning.

145
Q

unwilling to change one’s habits, behaviors, opinions, etc.

A

Be set in one’s ways

“As people get older, they often become set in their ways.
He’s so set in his ways that if you gave him tea at 4 o’clock instead of 4:30, he’d complain.”

146
Q

to feel ill

A

Under the weather

I’m feeling a bit under the weather - I think I’m getting a cold and i think I have a fever.

146
Q

give in/yield

A

Give way to

If you always give way to people’s wishes, then they’re bound to take advantage of you

147
Q

To receive information about sth indirectly. to hear a piece of information that someone else was trying to keep secret

A

Get wind of

“I don’t want my colleagues to get wind of the fact that I’m leaving.
I don’t know how they got wind of our plans; I’ve certainly never discussed them with anyone.”

148
Q

Appear satisfactory but in fact not be. used to show that you do not agree with something or that you are annoyed about something

A

be all very well

“Patience is all very well as long as you don’t have to be patient for too long.
It’s all very well him saying he’d replace the vase he broke but he hasn’t done so yet!”

149
Q

be partially successful.

A

Be/have (a) qualified success

The experimental play was only a qualified success which disappointed the playwright.

150
Q

show no mercy

A

Give sb no quarter

This particular interviewer gives no quarter to politicians that he interviews and insists on a direct answer to all his questions.

151
Q

work fast in order to do sth on time

A

A race against time

it is a race agaiinst time to find cures for many diseases of our time, including cancer and AIDS.

152
Q

try hard to think

A

Rack one’s brains

No matter how much i racked my brains I couldn’t solve the riddle.

153
Q

become angry

A

Lose one’s rag

Stephen really lost his rag when his dental appointment was cancelled yet again.

154
Q

under any circumstances

A

Rain or shine

I’m going to watch the football match, rain or shine.

155
Q

make sth clear and forceful

A

Ram home sth

As a politician he is a forceful speaker and rams home his point with great conviction

156
Q

rush about violently

A

Go on the rampage

The bull escaped from his pen and went on the rampage through the town, provoking panic in his wake.

157
Q

eager to do sth or go somewhere

A

raring to go

After a good night’s sleep, Paul said he was raring to go.

158
Q

to be treated unfairly or badly

A

have/get a raw deal (informal)

We must ask why bank customers get such a raw deal. And then find ways to make sure they get treated fairly in future.

159
Q

to accept that something is true without making sure that it is

A

take sth as read

I just took it as read that anyone who applied for the course would have the necessary qualifications.

160
Q

to leave a place or begin a journey

A

hit the road (informal)

I’d love to stay longer but I must be hitting the road.

161
Q

do very good business

A

do a roaring trade

the cafes on the boulevard were doing a roaring trade

162
Q

take a break to renew/refresh yourself

A

recharge your batteries

In today’s competitive world, everyone needs a regular holiday to recharge their batteries.

163
Q

after careful thought

A

On reflection

Barry liked the idea of a fine arts course but on reflection he decided to go in for accountancy.

164
Q

better off without sb or sth

A

Be well rid of sb or sth

The job was making her so stressed and unhappy that she handed in her notice, deciding that she handed in her notice, deciding that she was well rid of it.

165
Q

be deceived/cheated

A

Be taken for a ride

When my new motor kept breaking down, I knew I’d been taken for a ride by the second-hand car salesman.

166
Q

recover from an illness

A

Be as right as rain

167
Q

accept unpleasant as well as pleasant situations

A

Take the rough with the smooth

Life is so full of both good fortune and misfortunes that you have to learn to take the rough with the smooth

168
Q

insist o reminding sb of sth unpleasant or embarrassing

A

Rub sth in

When sb has made a mistake, it’s kinder not to rub it in by constantly reminding them of it

169
Q

Operating normally

A

Up and running

It takes time to get a financial system up and running after the introduction of a new currency.